Recount finds no change in District Court II judge race

PORT ANGELES — An unofficial recount upheld Erik Rohrer’s 28-vote victory over John Black in the general election race for Clallam County District Court II judge Thursday, the county Auditor’s Office said.

Rohrer still had 1,431 votes to Black’s 1,403 votes — a difference of 50.49 percent to 49.51 percent — after a hand count that took place Wednesday and Thursday, Elections Manager Becky Pettigrew said.

“We did finish the work of doing the recount today,” Pettigrew said on Thursday.

“I can tell you, unofficially, the results revealed no changes.”

The results will become official when the Clallam County Canvassing Board certifies the recount at 8:15 a.m. today, bringing the 2018 general election to a close.

“I’m pleased with the results,” said Rohrer, a Clallam County Superior Court judge, who has said he will quit his post to serve as the District Court judge in Forks.

“It’s truly an honor. I did want to thank all the people that voted for me and all the people that supported my campaign.”

Black was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

The Canvassing Board meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the Elections Center in the basement of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth. St., Port Angeles.

Black, a Clallam County attorney, filed a request for a manual recount Nov. 29.

Black led Rohrer by four votes on Election Day Nov. 6, by 15 votes after a second count Nov. 9 and by 12 votes after a third count Nov. 13.

Rohrer pulled ahead in a fourth count Nov. 14.

Only West End voters within the jurisdiction of Forks-based District Court II cast a ballot in the Rohrer-Black contest.

“I’m looking forward to moving past this long campaign and getting to work,” Rohrer said.

Rohrer will replace retiring Clallam County District Court II Judge John Doherty.